replied, putting her mug of latte down on the sticky table. They’d met at a cafe near Jemima’s flat in Holloway, given that part of the plan relied on Matt and Stephen not finding out they were related. ‘The risk is all his,’ she added, sliding the coffee aside so she could grasp her sister’s chilly hands. ‘And don’t you think he deserves it? Don’t you think it will do him good to be humiliated and confused, the way you’ve been? I mean, you still don’t even know why, do you? Not properly. All Matt said to you that day was that you weren’t suitable for his brother or to look after his kids and had to leave immediately. There was no conversation, no chance for you to ask why. He just threw you out.’ Melody had told Zoe more about it a few days earlier. About the way that one day she’d been a girl in love, part of Matt and Stephen’s family unit, and the next she’d been out in the cold with barely any explanation. ‘But you said that Matt seemed okay about you and Stephen seeing each other before then? You’d been together a few months?’
‘Yes.’ Melody gnawed her bottom lip, dark brown eyes looking bruised. ‘He was. I just don’t get it. Why the change of heart? And why wasn’t I good enough? Because we’re not rich? He never seemed like a snob to me.’ She gulped. ‘I thought he liked me.’
‘I don’t know. It doesn’t make sense.’ Zoe paused. ‘Unless he thought you and Stephen were just casual, and then when it started getting serious he wasn’t happy? You said that you and Matt always got on well though. Why wouldn’t he just talk to you about any concerns he had?’
Melody’s eyes brimmed. ‘No idea. Yes, we did get on well, he was more like a big brother than an employer sometimes.’
Zoe sighed, her sister’s naivety paining her. ‘Oh, Mel. You should never confuse professional and personal relationships. That way can only lead to hurt.’
‘Pardon?’ Melody stared at her, dazed eyes clearing.
‘You should always keep a personal distance from the people you work for. You know that.’
‘Don’t start lecturing me. You don’t know what it was like.’ Melody flashed, yanking her slim hands away. ‘I was with the family for three years. It’s a bit late to wade in and start pulling your big sister act just because it’s suddenly convenient!’
‘Right,’ Zoe murmured through dry lips, throat aching. Ouch. Direct hit.
‘I’m sorry,’ Melody gasped immediately, ‘I didn’t mean it. You know I didn’t. I’m just such a mess…’ she dropped her head into her hands, shoulders heaving, ‘and I’m so angry.’
‘I know. Don’t worry.’ Melody was normally the gentlest person in the world. Zoe scooted her chair around the table to get closer, the legs scraping on the tiled floor. Placing a hand on her little sister’s back, she waited quietly, giving her time.
If she’d been there for Melody, maybe none of this would have happened. Mel wouldn’t have gone looking for the guidance and friendship from her boss that she should have been getting from her big sister. Even though they’d texted and Skyped a lot, it hadn’t been the same, living on opposite sides of the ocean. Zoe might blame Matt and Stephen for her sister’s heartbreak, but part of the responsibility rested on her shoulders too.
The look on Matt’s face when he talked about Melody letting him down flashed across her mind and as much as she wanted to dismiss it, or think he’d been lying, there’d been something there. Something he was unsure of or puzzled about. It would do no good to tell Melody what Matt had said because it might upset her. But perhaps her plan could serve two purposes; not just revenge, but finding out just what the heck had happened.
She stroked her sister’s back soothingly. ‘I know you’re worried about my plan, and don’t really agree with it but maybe if I can find out why, it will give you closure?’ She nodded at Melody’s raw, tear-filled eyes. ‘I take it that Stephen still isn’t taking your calls or answering your messages?’ Thinking of his travel bag and see you when I get back holler to his brother. ‘I suppose he could be abroad. Perhaps he’s having problems with his phone.’
Melody shook her head, a lone tear running down her cheek. ‘I don’t think so, and he can more than afford the roaming charges. I just don’t get it. Everything was fine. We were happy. And I just can’t understand the way Matt acted— Oh, Zoe, I don’t know what to do-oo…’
The last word ended on a wail and reignited the hot, rolling rage and fiercely protective instincts in Zoe. She sucked her bottom lip into her mouth, rubbing her sister’s back more firmly, wanting to scrub away the hurt. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. But Matt hasn’t been in touch to check how you are either. I mean, you could be living on a park bench somewhere for all he knows. It’s disgusting. I really think he needs to be taught a lesson.’ She looked into her sister’s face, jaw set, thinking of the added insult of a few days before, when she’d gone to Matt’s house. ‘Let me do this for you, Mel,’ she said fiercely. ‘Let me get answers and teach them they can’t behave this way. That you can’t ignore people and pretend you’ve done nothing wrong. It’ll be fine, I promise.’
Melody sighed heavily, running a finger over some spilt grains of sugar. ‘Okay,’ she whispered.
‘Good. It’s the only thing that makes sense.’ Zoe paused. ‘Also, I know that Jemima is happy to have you,’ she broached, ‘but sleeping on her couch is less than ideal. What do you think about me calling Ruth and seeing if you could stay with her for a while? You always got on well together, right? I’m sure she still has the guest room set up ready. It might give you some distance. Fifty miles might not be very far, but it’s not on Matt’s doorstep either. One of the worst things about a break up is running into the person, or the possibility you’re going to. If Stephen gets back soon, you’ll have two people who upset you to avoid. I don’t want you to think I want shot of you,’ she added, ‘because I can’t wait for us to spend some quality time together after I’ve been away so long. I’m just thinking of what’s best for you right now.’
Melody sniffed. ‘It would be good to have some space, and be somewhere familiar. I know it never seemed like home to you, and Ruth isn’t the huggy sort, but I feel safe there.’ She nodded. ‘Can you call her please? If you can do it without arguing that is. I’m going to splash some cold water on my face.’ Pushing her chair back, she grabbed her bag and hitched her chin up, trying to be brave.
Zoe watched her go. Poor thing. Sucking in a deep breath she dialled her Aunt’s number, dreading the conversation. ‘It’s me,’ she said when Ruth answered with a curt hello.
‘Oh. You are still in the land of the living then.’
‘I did text you from the airport the other day.’
‘Messaging relatives is no substitute for a good old fashioned phone call,’ Ruth said in a sniffy tone. ‘I expected you to follow the text up with a call. I knew you’d be jetlagged but surely you could have—’
‘I’ve had my hands full,’ she cut across her Aunt’s accusation, picturing her grey hair in its no-nonsense bun and the pursed lips, shoulders bolt-straight, her dark eyes cool and unforgiving. When in this mood, the result was stilted accusations Zoe didn’t have the time and energy for today. Obviously she still wasn’t forgiven for what had happened before her departure for the States, despite the birthday and Christmas cards she’d always sent, accompanied by luxury gifts. However, now was not the time to try and sort it out. That didn’t mean she shouldn’t be conciliatory. ‘I’m sorry, you’re right, I should have called. The thing is, Matt’s fired Melody and kicked her out, and Stephen’s gone AWOL.’
‘What? What on earth do you mean? What happened? The absolute brutes.’
‘I’m not sure yet.’ Zoe didn’t know whether to be grateful or sad that her Aunt would jump so easily to her sister’s defence, when if it had been her the first thing Ruth would have asked was what did you do? ‘I’m trying to sort it out,’ no way was she telling Ruth the details of what she was up to, ‘but in the meantime